DraftStreet Diary: New Fantasy Hoops Leagues Every Day

Thanks to the 795 readers who tried their luck and tested their skill in the $300 Sheridan Hoops Freeroll last night. Kudos to “bigshot118” who avoided the highest-priced players and got huge nights from Paul George and Jrue Holiday to win the $100 first prize. “Justin0408” was just 5.75 points back in second to earn $60, despite Luol Deng aggravating an injury and leaving early. As I always say, the Salary Cap game requires both skill and luck to win.

I did win $13.50 in a 3-man Snake draft on Friday, but whiffed on my picks in the Freeroll (finishing #210) and various GPP leagues, so the $100 weekly bankroll has dwindled to $46 with just two days left to turn things around. My streak of three consecutive winning weeks is in jeopardy, but in daily fantasy leagues, almost anything can happen.

There are eight NBA games to choose from, though I’ve found Saturdays to be somewhat unpredictable and will be cautious with tonight’s investments.

Don’t forget that DraftStreet also has leagues for college basketball and NHL hockey, if you’re a fan of those games. My focus is entirely on the NBA; I watch NCAA hoops more to ‘scout’ future fantasy draft picks than to root for a given team. It’s also fun as a Canadian to see talented youngsters like Anthony Bennett emerge, and Andrew Wiggins will be next. By 2016 our national team might be pretty good.

DraftStreet 15

Jan. 19

Stars

Over $13,000

Al Jefferson

$17,200

James Harden

$16,878

LaMarcus Aldridge

$17, 441

Tim Duncan

$16,929

Andrei Kirilenko

$13,747

Scrubs

Under $9,000

John Henson

$8,892

Marreese Speights

$8,822

Gerald Henderson

$7,954

Jimmy Butler

$5,004

Greg Stiemsma

$4,808

Starters

$9,000 to $13,000

Omer Asik

$12,249

Jarrett Jack

$12,095

Luke Ridnour

$10,945

Matt Barnes

$10,917

Kemba Walker

$12,680

The chart offers five suggestions in three different salary ranges, but there are thousands of possible lineup combinations. Here’s one I’m intending to use, though breaking news about injuries or illnesses can lead to re-evaluating players. You can make unlimited roster changes until the 7:00 EST deadline.

The key guys for me are Al Jefferson and LaMarcus Aldridge, and I’m using three Minnesota players who might outperform their salaries. AK-47 is a hunch; normally a defensive specialist, he might have to become more aggressive as the Timberwolves have run out of healthy scorers.